The Record - December/January 2023 by Free Church of Scotland

THE

RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023 • £2.00

Interim Editor • Sarah Robinson The Editor, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS editor@freechurch.org

Mission News • David Meredith Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS mission@freechurch.org WfM Editor • Fiona Macaskill 8 Campsie Drive, Glasgow, G61 3HY rfmacaskill@me.com Gaelic Editor • Janet MacPhail 24 North Bragar, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DA 01851 710354 Seminary News • William Mackenzie Edinburgh Theological Seminary, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh EH1 2LS offices@ets.ac.uk Prayer Diary • Shona McGuire seonaid1954@hotmail.co.uk Design & Layout • Fin Macrae @DUFI Art www.dufi-art.com The Record • ISSN 2042-2970 Published • The Record is produced by The Free Church of Scotland, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS 0131 226 5286 offices@freechurch.org Advertising • Anyone wishing to advertise in The Record should contact the editor. For Subscriptions • The annual subscription price for The Record is £33. Cheques should be made payable to: Free Church of Scotland. Please contact the offices for overseas subscription costs. iPhone: Open your camera app and hold the lens above the QR Code, it will automatically detect the link which Details of the church's activities, latest news and you can click on to open. people to contact are all available on the church's Android: Download QR Code Reader from Google Play website: www.freechurch.org Store and follow app directions.

The Free Church of Scotland is a registered charity SC012925 • Women for Mission is a registered charity SC03898

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Cover: Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

This QR Code will direct you to the digital version of the magazine on ISSUU. Available for 30 days for current print subscribers.

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER/JANUARY RECORD

elcome to the latest edition of the record.

04 WE CANNOT BE SILENT Robin Gray

A strong theme woven throughout this edition is the need for us to pray fervently. Prayer connects us with God, the one who alone can give life, hope and peace. Prayer expresses our faith and our hope in him. The Free Church of Scotland has a vision for ‘A Healthy Gospel Church for Every Community in Scotland’. The vision is not going to happen unless we pray. We desperately need God to move among us by his Holy Spirit, that we might be growing in our relationship with God and that as churches we would be helping others grow in spiritual health. So, look out for a two-page special of prayer points around the vision. Do use these in your personal prayer times. You may also find a feature about prayer particularly encouraging. This month’s editorial by Rev Robin Gray, of Gardenstown New Church, explores topics around the proposed Conversion Therapy Ban and Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and the church’s response. He encourages prayer and direct engagement. There is much to pray about. You can also find a host of news updates, features, and world news. As we come to the end of one year and look forward to 2023, can I ask that you think and pray about whether you can get involved as the editor of The Record. Although I’ve taken the role on, it is on a temporary basis, and we need to fill the role. Otherwise, the future of the publication is in doubt. Do get in touch with me if you’d like information about the role for yourself or to pass on. If you would like to send in your church news or letters, email editor@freechurch.org • Yours in Christ Sarah Robinson

FREE CHURCH NEWS

WfM - REFUGE & STRENGTH 2023

WfM UPDATE Janet Murchison

A HEALTHY GOSPEL CHURCH... PRAYS TOGETHER Roger Crooks

PRAYER DIARY

WORLD NEWS U.K., Nigeria, Zambia, Palestine, Pakistan

ETS- COULD YOU BE A FUTURE MINISTER IN THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND? Iver Martin

LETTERS

OBITUARIES: KENNETH MACLENNAN, JOAN SIDNEY FRASER CAMERON, JOHN ANGUS MACLEAN, JOHN MACDONALD

STREET CONNECT

PAGES FROM ADAM'S DIARY: GOD'S PROVISION AT BURGER KING

ÙRACHADH NÈAMHAIDH Janet MacPhail

FOOD FOR FELLOWSHIP

BOOK REVIEWS

MISSION MATTERS David Meredith

POETRY PAGE Roddie Rankin

40 POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray

That in all things he might have the pre-eminence Colossians 1:18 2022/2023

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REV ROBIN GRAY, of Gardenstown New Church, explores topics around the proposed Conversion Therapy Ban and Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and the church's response.

We cannot be silent

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The church in Scotland has a prophetic role within the nation, to speak the truth of God to the powers that be.

ICTURE THE SCENE. Someone you know is struggling with same-sex

attraction. They want to honour God’s good design for human sexuality: namely, that sexual relations should only take place between a man and woman within the covenant of marriage. To that end, they approach you and ask you to pray with them in seeking to live a life in keeping with God’s will. You do so. A few days later, the police knock at your door. Your friend shared with a family member about your time together. That family member called the police. You are arrested and charged for engaging in “conversion therapy”. You could be fined, imprisoned and, if you are a minister, banned by the Government from performing the basic functions of your God-ordained office. Picture another scene. A sixteen-year-old member of your family is experiencing gender dysphoria. They have disturbing and disorienting feelings that they are of the opposite gender to their biological sex. These symptoms have only manifested themselves recently. And yet, without any need for consent from you, or any medical diagnosis whatsoever, they are able, by law, to change their gender – birth certificate and all. And they can do all this within the space of three months. Just to put this into perspective: they won’t be able legally to get a tattoo for another two years. They will, of course, also be able to access medical treatment including powerful drugs and surgery which can cause them irreparable damage should they, as many people do, experience deep regret for having undergone transition later in life. If this seems like a dystopian nightmare which you will soon happily wake up from, this is in fact the reality you could very soon wake up to, unless those few Christians leading the fight against such legislation gain the wider support of the church at large. Back to the first scenario. There is no doubt that abusive and coercive attempts to change a person’s sexuality are unacceptable. But the “expert group” advising the Scottish Government on its proposed Conversion Therapy Ban is advocating measures that would outlaw basic preaching, pastoral care and discipleship towards those with same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria. Now the second scenario. Under the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which passed its first stage through the Scottish Parliament at the end of October, teenagers and other vulnerable people will be able to change their gender at will – so-called “Self ID”. As well as posing clear dangers to women’s safety, this an attempt to undermine our Creator’s design for human beings made male and female in his image, and risks ruining young lives before adulthood has even begun. The church in Scotland has a prophetic role within the nation, to speak the truth of God to the powers that be. It is not for me to pass judgment on the National Church, except to note with sadness the fact that at its last General Assembly, the Church of Scotland voted to support the Government’s proposed ban on conversion therapy, whilst also endorsing same-sex marriage. Therefore, it is left to the churches and believers who continue to affirm the authority of Scripture to stand in the gap and make our voices heard. The Free Church of Scotland has a clear part to play in this regard. The Public Engagement Group of the Free Church is committed to communicating God’s truth to our legislators, and has made excellent submissions on issues like the Conversion Therapy Ban, Gender Recognition and much more besides. They need the support of all our people so that

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It all, of course, begins with prayer. This is something every single one of us can do. the volume is turned up on their representations and lawmakers realise that there is strong and sound opposition standing in the way of their illconceived plans. Clear leadership and direction from our ministers and elders are, of course, essential. But all of God’s people, as a royal priesthood and holy nation, are called to be witnesses to the truth and oppose that which is contrary to God’s revealed will. However, before we start blogging, emailing and perhaps even some oldfashioned letter-writing, we do well to remember that as well as declaring the truth, we must think about the “why” and the “how” as well as the “what”. We can say something that is true, and yet do so from the wrong motivations or in a manner that is inappropriate for a Christian. For example, our motivation for saying something in relation to the above issues could be self-righteousness or a sense of moral superiority rather than compassion for the vulnerable people affected by such legislation. Further, we can be guilty of expressing the truth in a way that is arrogant or aggressive and fails to honour the golden rule of doing to others as we would be done by. Much heart-searching and humbling in the presence of God is needed before we engage in such controversies. But engage we must, because, in the words of the title of Al Mohler’s 2015 book on the effects of the sexual revolution in America, “We Cannot be Silent”. The one thing we always must remember to do is not to be mere moralisers. If we crush people with the law but forget to lift them up with the gospel we have forgotten that ours is not the ministry of condemnation but of reconciliation. Every engagement with non-believers is an opportunity to point them to Christ, clothed in his gospel, mighty to save. I might be so bold as to suggest that not all Christian engagement with our legislators has lived up to this ideal. It all, of course, begins with prayer. This is something every single one of us can do. Pray for the Public Engagement Group. Get up to speed on its work so that your prayers are as informed as possible. Encourage those who are part of the group and let them know of your prayerful support. Pray for other groups, like the Christian Institute, and individuals who are also seeking to declare the truth to those in authority. Pray that Christians would not only say the right thing, but in the right way, and from the right motives. Pray for Christian politicians. Theirs is an unenviable task. They need God’s upholding hand and the wisdom that comes from above. As well as prayer, there is direct engagement. Regarding conversion therapy, get connected to the Let Us Pray campaign, an initiative of the Christian Institute to which the Free Church has given its support: www.letuspray.uk. In relation to the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which is at an advanced stage, voice your concerns directly to your MSPs. Get to know them and remember that as well as one constituency MSP, you have several regional MSPs. It may be that one among them is more sympathetic to the truth than others. Let them know you pray for them in accordance with 1 Timothy 2:12. Do not rant at them or berate them, but rather state your views calmly and clearly; by God’s grace, seek to love them as yourself. Finally, it is worth pointing out that the two issues I have drawn attention to are merely a sample of a wider range of public issues that demand the Christian’s attention in our day. Scotland is a wonderful country which has known God’s blessing in extraordinary ways in the past. We cannot simply stand and watch its present descent into a moral abyss. Rather we can contend, through fervent prayer and gracious engagement, for its return to our great God and Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. •

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FREE CHURCH NEWS ORDINATION OF REV ROBIN SILSON

BY JENNY NICOLSON – part of the Winchburgh Core team

n 25th september in st columba’s free church,

of Christian ministry, he said “love the people God gives you and you will be a blessing to them…” He also encouraged Robin to grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. There was a presentation from St Columba’s to Robin and his family to mark the occasion, showing the church’s love and prayerful support in this formal appointment. Robin thanked everyone for the encouragement and gave the utmost glory to God. Throughout the service the singing was beautiful, and much warmth was displayed to Robin as he sets out, with his family and the core team, to this new work, to see God glorified and proclaimed in Winchburgh and the surrounding area. Please pray for Robin and his family as they move forward in this Gospel work. •

edinburgh, rev robin silson was ordained and set apart as a minister of the free church,

and inducted as a church planter for winchburgh community church.

Robin has been working in Winchburgh for a year, supporting this small, new church which began with a vision of the elders and members of St Columba’s to reach out with the Gospel into this rapidly growing area. The Mission Board gave the green light for a five-year appointment following the initial one year. Rev Derek Lamont, minister of St Columba’s, presided over the service as Moderator of Presbytery (for the evening) and George Coghill clerked, in the absence of Roddy Macleod, the Presbytery Clerk. Robin’s previous minister, Rev Martin Ayers from St Silas Church, Glasgow, preached from Acts 20. He spoke of the ‘perfect pastor’ and encouraged Robin to Teach Truth, Keep Watch and Shed Tears. Achieving these things is only possible because of who we are following, the Lord Jesus. Following the solemn vows, ministers and elders of the presbytery and beyond laid hands on Robin as they prayed over him, powerfully showing the unity we have as a church family ministering and seeking to glorify God. Rev Billy Graham addressed Robin warmly as he spoke of the privilege and challenge of being set aside for the service of Christ, particularly in a church planting context. Sharing a story about a key aspect

NEW MINISTER FOR THURSO FREE CHURCH

c h u rc h minister w ho has a

“ heart

His application to become a Free Church minister was granted at the Commission of the General Assembly in October and it came into effect three weeks later. Following a meeting by the Northern Presbytery last week, he has been called to Thurso & North Coast Free Church. An induction date had not been confirmed by the time The Record went to print.

for

t h e n o rth of scotland ” has accepted a c a l l t o be minister of thurso & north

co a s t fr e e ch u rch .

Rev Jerry Taylor has been welcomed into ministry in the Free Church of Scotland after serving for 15 years in the Church of England.

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Jerry has spoken about his background, his faith in Jesus and being part of the Free Church ministry. He said that there is a sense of “excited anticipation” as he and his family move to Scotland. “We are encouraged that when the Lord calls, he equips, and he will provide,” he said. Jerry has been married to June for over 20 years and they have three sons: Magnus, 19, Erlend, 17, and Olaf, 14. They have been living near Leicester where Jerry has served as a Church of England minister in a small post-industrial town and a rural village for the past 12 years. June was raised in Shetland and has roots in Orkney. There have been several factors in moving to the Free Church of Scotland, said Jerry, including the theological unity on key doctrines in the Free Church, especially on the uniqueness of Jesus as Saviour, and the vision for a Healthy Gospel Church for Every Community in Scotland. He looks forward to “more Jesus, more gospel”. “The Healthy Gospel Church vision is an important and compelling vision for the church. It seems that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” he said, “but that we have a big God”. Jerry has shared his own testimony of coming to faith and how that has impacted his ministry. He said he came to faith at university having seen the “reality of young people reading their Bibles, living their lives for Jesus, and sharing their hope in Him”. It taught him that life is complicated, but that the Bible is sufficient, and everything else is bankrupt. He looks back with great thankfulness to God for those 18-20 year olds.

Jerry said: “One of the things that has been a feature of my ministry has been being heavily involved in secondary and primary schools. I’ve had the liberty of taking lots of assemblies and doing Q&As with young people. I want to encourage teachers and staff to be effective Christians in their workplace. It’s important to build links with youth clubs.” “One of the things that I’ve learnt is that you can’t wait for people to come to your church building. You have to get involved in things. It’s about praying for gospel opportunities to speak to people. It’s about living our lives as ambassadors and disciples of Christ. “I’m looking forward to moving north and better understanding life in the community that I’m joining.” Jerry, who plays clarinet, said he would like to get involved in a music venture — either in a band or choir to get to know people. He also has an interest in American football, via one of his sons. •

ENSPIRE 2023 - MINISTERS' WIVES CONFERENCE

Jessie Macleod and Elspeth Smith, who live in Gairloch, shared some of the ways they serve together. They are both working along with their husbands to reach out to the people in the village with the gospel. Fiona Ross and Marianne Ross, sharing their experience of the 2022 event said, ‘If you are a minister’s wife, we would encourage you to come along next year. It was great to meet together with so many others in a similar situation. From beginning to end we were made to feel welcomed and cared for. So much thought was put into organising the event.’ Details about the 2023 event will be announced in coming months. Do look out for updates on the Free Church website. Booking information will be released soon. For any other queries, contact: enspire.women@gmail.com •

ookings are set to open soon for the 2023 enspire event for ministers ’ wives which will be held on saturday 11 th march at

smithton church in inverness .

This is an opportunity for ministers' wives from all over Scotland, and from different denominations, to meet new people and catch up with friends, while being encouraged by God’s Word. The 2022 event included Ann Macrae speaking about being ‘One in Spirit and Purpose,’ which focused on Philippians 2:2 and a reminder of Psalm 133:1 — reflecting on how good and pleasant it is when we dwell in unity. Small discussion groups were held and there were also times of sung worship throughout the day. There were updates from Susy Hall (Aberdeen), Anna Barnard (Edinburgh) and Martha Macpherson (Peru), who have each been relocated due to their husbands’ ministry.

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PORTREE & BRACADALE FREE CHURCH CALENDAR

2023 c alendar conveying the w onder o f go d ’ s handi w ork on the isle of skye i s b e i n g sold to help raise funds for

po r t re e

br a c adale free church of scotland ’ s

n e w c h u rc h b u ild .

A selection of stunning photos has been captured by church treasurer Dr Charles Crichton and collated into a calendar, which this year also has the days in Gaelic. The venture is the latest fundraiser for the new church building project at Shepherd’s Way. Charles said: “We’re glad to report that steady progress is being made at No 10 Shepherd’s Way. The framework of the building has now been erected, the roof is nearly completed, and the external blockwork is slowly rising. “Over the last few months, it has been exciting to see the building ‘grow’ out of what has been a barren field. However, we must be patient for the next while because there will be a lot of internal work carried out. The next major visible development will be the installation of the windows, likely in early December. From that time, the building will be ‘wind and watertight’.

“Our finances continue to be a challenge, but we’re slowly getting there with fundraising and generous donations. We are constantly seeing evidence of the goodness of our God.” A host of fundraisers have taken place to help raise funds for the new build. If you would like to obtain any calendars, the congregation is suggesting a minimum donation of £6 per calendar. Our contacts are John Angus and Anne Gillies, email: john.gillies@mowi.com, mobile 07900 050473, landline 01470 532479. Bank details are: Virgin Money, sort code 82-67-18, account number 00413162 (Portree & Bracadale New Building account). This QR code will direct to you a preview of the calendar. •

BIG FREE RALLY

he big free rally committee had the pleasure of welcoming over 200 young folks and volunteers back to smithton on october 1 st for the first in - person big free rally since 2019 .

Despite some concerning weather forecasts, we were delighted that a bus load of young people and helpers made it safely across the Minch, with more buses travelling from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Perth. It was a high-energy day filled with fun and games, lots of laughter, and you could feel the excitement of the room all day long. The wonderful hosts, Sheona Glass and Euan MacDonald, kept everyone entertained and informed throughout the day. The Rev Ben Fiddian gave two short talks on ‘Being Real’ that engaged the full range of ages in the room. And thanks to Laura MacGillivray, Ishbel Murray and their wonderful praise band, there was some spectacular singing; hearing the voices of over 200 young people praise God together was truly special. The young people in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with friends made over the summer and to make some new friends too. We were thrilled that so many young people made the journey from all corners of Scotland to make the day so memorable. The Committee would like to thank all the leaders and volunteers that helped plan the event, and ensured the safety and enjoyment of all the young people in attendance, without which the day would not have been such a success. •

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The Big Free Rally, October 2022

FCYC REGISTRATION 2023

t’s hard to believe that we’re almost at

Our website will go live in December, giving everyone the chance to take a look at the camps on offer and register their child/children for the camp they would like to attend. FCYC will be running the same nine camps offered in summer 2022 this coming July. The full details for each camp will be published online at freechurchyouthcamps.org in due course. Our registration period will be open until the end of January; this means that if you register by Monday 30th January you are in with the best chance of getting a space on your desired camp. On Monday 30th

January, spaces at camp are automatically allocated to those registered. If a camp is oversubscribed, names will be picked at random through an online generator. Any registration forms that come in after January 30th will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, where space allows. For your best chance at avoiding disappointment, remember to register before Monday 30th January. We are so grateful to God for a successful return to camps this summer and cannot wait to welcome back some familiar and some new faces to FCYC 2023. For a sneak peek of what to expect take a look at our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter where we’ve been posting photos and videos from our 2022 camps. •

Junior Football Camp

Oswestry Juniors Camp

the end of the year already but that can o n l y m e a n o n e t h i n g i n t h e fcyc ca l e n d a r …

re g i s t r a t i o n i s o p e n i n g v e r y s o o n !

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HOPE CHURCH BUILDING PROJECT

Minister, Rev Ivor MacDonald, said 'We are immensely grateful to Almighty God for his leading on the Hope Church extension project. Although many churches in Coatbridge have been obliged to close, we believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is advancing in our area and that our expanded and refurbished building will not only provide more space for our worship services but allow us to offer better facilities for community use.' An article on the project appeared in the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser and can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/bd8zy3up •

ork has just begun on the extension to and refurbishment of the church building at hope church coatbridge.

For many years the land next to the Free Church building in Coatbridge was occupied by an unsightly derelict office. This was cleared by North Lanarkshire Council and offered to the congregation at a very fair price.Seeing this as a providential opportunity and aware of the need for more space for a growing congregation, with ambitions to provide greater access to the local community, it was decided to seek plans for an extension and refurbishment from architects, Angus Design Associates of Hamilton. These were approved and after a period of fundraising the contract was awarded to RS Builders of Wishaw. It is hoped the work will be completed by the spring of 2023. The congregation is very grateful to the Board of Trustees of the Free Church, and Stewardship, who have made loan funding available, and to the Free Presbytery of Glasgow and Argyll, who have made a most generous donation. External funders, such as The Benefact Trust, The Garfield Weston Foundation and others, have also made much appreciated contributions to the project. Many Free churches and friends outside the congregation responded to the appeal for funds with one off donations, which proved a huge encouragement. In all this the professional support of Rod Morrison of Arniston Consulting was invaluable.

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Rev Ivor MacDonald with the directors of RS Builders, Mr Stephen Smith and Mr Raymond Kane, and members of the congregation at the site. Photo courtesy of John McIntyre/Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser/ Reach PLC

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RESOURCES PAGE HEALTHY GOSPEL CHURCH PODCAST It seems like everyone’s podcasting these days - even the Royals are at it! For the uninitiated, podcasts are, for the most part, spoken-word audio episodes around a specific topic or theme. They can be traced back to the 1980s in talk-related radio software by RCS, a pioneer of audio scheduling technology. A couple of decades later, with the advent of broadband and portable devices, they developed into “audioblogs” — audio versions of online articles created by individuals and groups. Eventually, these became known as podcasts. Today there are over 150,000 English-speaking podcasts, with more appearing every week. With little to no cost to the listener, podcasts have become hugely popular. Discussing everything from the history of ancient Rome to the merits of a football team’s defensive back four — or lack of in Dundee United’s case (!) — there’s something for everyone. Not to be outdone and seeing an opportunity to communicate the gospel to a global audience, the Generation Podcast was born in June 2019. With some borrowed audio equipment, a laptop and a host that loves to chat, guests sat down to discuss Christian mission and the church. In August this year, the Generation Podcast rebranded itself to remain in step with the Free Church’s new vision to see a ‘Healthy Gospel Church for Every Community in Scotland.’ Thus becoming the ‘Healthy Gospel Church Podcast.’ As host, Free Church Mission Director David Meredith has spoken with guests from around the world on topics such as evangelism, modern worship practices, mission strategies, grief, persecution, Marxism, abortion, sexuality and more, discussing each from a Christ-centred starting point. The Healthy Gospel Church Podcast has had some great guests this season, including Rosaria Butterfield, Jonathan Carswell and David Strain. If you haven’t tuned in before or would like to catch up on any previous episodes, search for the ‘Healthy Gospel Church’ podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your podcast app of choice. •

WALK WITH ME DEVOTIONAL The Walk With Me devotional books are now available to buy in time for the New Year. The daily devotions have been penned by Bill Graham, an elder at St Columba’s Free Church in Edinburgh and former missionary in South Africa. For a number of years they have been available via email and they are now available in book format. Please note that the audio versions of the devotions are also available on the Free Church website. ‘Walk With Me by Bill Graham is a helpful and user-friendly book, suitable for young people, adults and families,” said Ali MacDonald, of the Church Equipping Committee. ‘There is a year’s worth of reflections on the Scriptures focussing on a short verse with a helpful devotion. The devotions are simple, yet profound and full of Christ-centred hope written in a warm, faithful and engaging style.’ The devotionals cost £8 plus postage and packaging. For more details, go to: freechurch.org/walk-with-me •

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WfM UPDATE

BY JANET MURCHISON

of FCYC. These three, or the organisations they work for, had been supported by recent WfM Projects and it was good to hear how the funds raised were being used. There was opportunity to browse the craft and book stalls and WfM are indebted to those ladies who use their skills to sell their beautiful handcrafted products for the work of WfM, and particularly the Project. Without doubt, and judging from the ‘buzz’ of conversations taking place, the interaction between young and old, and the many purchases made from the craft stalls, we enjoyed being able to meet once again. Therefore, it was only right to close the conference with a vote of thanks to the WfM Committee for all their hard work in planning and preparing in the months leading up to the conference. We had not expected it to be a sold out event and we give thanks to God for the blessings we received from our time together. •

here was a definite hint of autumn in the air on saturday, 17th september 2022, when nearly

200 women gathered for the sold out wfm

conference which took place at culloden balloch baptist church, inverness.

This proved to be an excellent venue with lunch etc provided by the church’s own in-house catering team. Not having held a conference since 2018, it was a real joy to have a wide age range of participants, including babes in arms who behaved exemplary throughout the whole event. We were privileged to have as our main speaker Helen Thorne, Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK, and author of a number of books. Helen explored the theme of Hope, an anchor for the soul, basing her talks on Psalm 46, a song of grace, love and hope. The anchor symbolised the security and the confidence that we have in God, even when there is a storm raging all around us. We were reminded that we should not be surprised when we experience trouble in life. It is easy to respond with a “that’s not fair” cry when troubles come. As Christians, we need to daily resist the world’s approach and turn to God, seeking his grace to apply his word to ourselves, striving to fix our eyes on our Saviour who will “supply all our needs”, even in the hardest of times. The wonderful singing of Psalm 46 at the conclusion of the conference was truly moving and amplified the blessing we had received from Helen’s ministry. As well as Helen’s talks, we heard updates from Rosangela Fraser, WEC International, Dina Petrou, Damaris Community House, Athens, and Mairi Beaton

WfM are excited to announce that the revised Ultimate Favourite Recipes Cookbook is now ready for sale. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Original Favourite Recipes book we have combined Books 1 and 2 into a new all-in-one edition. All the old recipes you love are in there along with a link to the new Online Cookbook which will go live next year. Books are priced at £18.00 + P&P. Proceeds from sales of the Cookbook goes into WfM’s Disaster and Relief fund which supports Christian organisations working in parts of the world affected by war, famine, drought or other tragedy. If you would like to purchase a copy, visit our website womenformission.org/cookbook where you will be able to order and pay online for delivery or arrange pick-up from a local collection point. In locations such as the Western Isles local WFM representatives will be able to source the books locally for you — please keep an eye out in your intimation sheets. The books will also be available to purchase at various events throughout the country. If you would like a stock of books to sell at an event then please get in touch at recipebooks@womenformission.org Christmas orders for delivery must be received by Friday 16th December. Visit our website for more details. •

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A Healthy Gospel Church... prays together BY REV ROGER CROOKS

ver the course of nearly forty-two years as an ordained minister, i have had the privilege of serving six very different congregations

in terms of size, location, ethos and outlook.

In spite of their differences, either at the start or near to the start of my time in each congregation, I have preached a sermon or a series of sermons on Acts 2:41-47, Luke’s picture of what a healthy gospel church looks like. I wanted each of these congregations to know what God’s agenda was for his church, the matters upon which they were to concentrate their time and energy. One of the features of this first congregation of Christians is that ‘they devoted themselves … to prayer.’ But that is not what Luke actually wrote. Not ‘they devoted themselves … to prayer,’ but ‘they devoted themselves … to the prayers.’ Bible commentators are unanimous in seeing Luke’s use of the definite article, the “the”, as indicating that he is not talking about praying privately as individuals but praying collectively as a church. Luke is not flagging up that a healthy gospel church prays, but that a healthy gospel church prays together. In this healthy gospel church, praying together during public worship was important. In Acts 3:1, we are informed about how, at three in the afternoon, just before the evening sacrifice was about to be offered up, Peter and John headed to the Temple to join in the time of public prayer associated with it. These Christians still took part in these public prayer services, but now they saw the old prayers with new eyes, the eyes of who Jesus is and what Jesus achieved. Also, in this healthy gospel church, praying together in more informal prayer meetings was important. In Acts 1:13-14, Luke gives us a snapshot of one of these informal prayer meetings. They met together to pray — ‘they … joined together … in prayer.’ Praying together was a regular activity — ‘they … joined together constantly in prayer.’ Everyone came and took part to these prayer meetings — ‘they all joined together constantly in prayer.’ The church’s leaders, the eleven remaining apostles, were there. So were the women, and also new Christians — Jesus’ brothers who only started to believe in him after the resurrection.

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Before we pat ourselves on the back because, unlike some churches, we have plenty of prayer during our services and have well-attended, many-participating prayer meetings, I want to pull us back with a question. Suppose someone from a totally non-church background turned up at one of our services or prayer meetings, what would the prayers prayed say about us? For example, would they conclude that we think that we are basically good people who do not really believe that we break God’s commandments every day in thought, word, action, attitudes and motives because they would hear little confession of a variety of specific sins and pleading for God’s forgiveness, cleansing and pardon in our prayers? (By the way, in my opinion, attaching to our prayers ‘and we ask this with the forgiveness of our sins’ does not really constitute a prayer of confession.) Or would they work out from the topics we pray for in our prayer meetings that we are part of a denomination, part of the wider church in Scotland, and part of the global church? Would they only hear us praying for our own needs? Would they even wonder if we are a church at all because our prayers are almost totally about physical needs and very little to do with spiritual needs? During some of the big battles that took place towards the end of World War I, one of the problems troops faced was knowing exactly where the frontline was. In the fluidity of a battle, the location of the frontline could change very quickly. Often soldiers arrived at what they thought was the frontline, but it was not. The frontline had shifted. Where is the church’s frontline? It is during our services of public worship, when we pray and in our prayer meetings — wherein Jesus’ name and with the Spirit’s help, we wield the God-given weapon of prayer. The frontline is where we pray that God’s name might be hallowed, that Jesus’ kingdom might advance, that Satan’s oppressive tyranny would be overthrown, and God’s will might be done throughout the world. A healthy gospel church understands where the frontline of the battle is, so she prays together. • Rev Roger Crooks, retired minister.

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DEC-JAN 2023 PRAYER DIARY These prayer points look at a number of aspects around the Free Church’s vision for a Healthy Gospel Church for Every Community in Scotland. A Free Church of Scotland Day of Prayer was recently held where congregations were encouraged to pray. Do continue to use these prayer points in your prayer times. December week 1: Focussing on the importance of prayer • Call upon God to make us a people who are faithful, consistent, and persistent in prayer. • Pray for unity among our denomination — between presbyteries, local congregations, and individuals. Pray for peace, love, and harmony in the vision of sharing the Gospel. • Pray for the vision, pray for the denomination, pray for individual churches, pray for the people and financial resources in the years ahead. December week 2: Pray for revitalising churches • Pray for the 28 churches which have been engaged with the Church Development Track. Give thanks for good ideas generated and for friendships formed. • Give thanks for recent building projects in Greenock and Fort William. • Give thanks that the Free Church has congregations throughout Scotland; pray for those in remote areas. • ‘Lay preachers’ have kept congregations going for years, give thanks for this. • Ministry in struggling congregations can be tough, pray that ministers and congregations will have resilience. December week 3: Pray about planting new churches • Give thanks to the Lord for the church plants that are taking place in communities across Scotland. Pray for the vision for 30 new churches by 2030 and the vision for “A healthy gospel church for every community” in that God will make the paths straight and preparations will run smoothly. • Pray that God would keep raising up gifted young leaders to plant new churches right across the nation. • Pray for church plants to grow, both in numbers and in spiritual health. • Pray for our church planters, that they would be kept fresh and renewed by God’s grace. • Pray for steadiness as they walk through the highs and lows of ministry. Pray for their families to know God’s peace and faith through practical uncertainties they may face. Pray for enough money to keep them from worrying. Pray for enough encouragements to keep them going. December week 4: Supporting church leaders and evangelism • Pray that the courses offered by Edinburgh Theological Seminary (ETS) would be helpful to lay leaders and church members. • Pray for all ministers in the denomination, that they will always have a passion to know Christ more intimately and minister humbly and in God’s spirit. Pray for the protection of their families. • Pray that those who lead and teach at ETS would inspire and train students for ministry. • Pray that each one of us becomes more intentional in sharing the Gospel. We pray for boldness, an assurance of our beliefs and opportunities to share the good news with those around us. • Give thanks that every verse in the Bible points to Jesus and his salvation, and that Jesus is at the centre of every gospel church. • Pray for lives to be transformed by the truth of the Gospel. January week 1: Recruiting • Pray for God to call more men into pastoral ministry. As far as we are able to judge our expected needs, we will need 70 new ministers to be called by God in the next 10 years. • Pray for Kirk Sessions, Presbyteries, and the Board of Ministry as they carry the responsibility of assessing applications with appropriate rigour and care. • Give thanks for those ministers who have recently joined the Free Church from other denominations. Please pray that they would integrate well, and their ministries would be greatly blessed. • Pray that local congregations would be helped by God to be effective in identifying an external call to ministry in people in their congregations. • Pray that God would take away fears, doubts and hurdles that may prevent some people from following a call into ministry.

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January week 2: Training • Pray for all current ministry candidates and for their families. • Pray for Edinburgh Theological Seminary (ETS) and the Board of Ministry as they partner together in the provision of training. Please pray for all the teaching and administrative staff who provide essential work for the training of ministers • Pray for the congregations where our candidates are serving as Ministers in Training. Pray for local supervisors, Kirk Sessions, and other local leaders as they seek to train, equip, and encourage our candidates. • Give thanks for external partners, such as the Bonar Trust, who have given a huge support to our training. • Pray for enough funding for training. January week 3: Making disciples • We pray that we will be purposeful about discipleship to help develop a healthy church. • Pray for helping and loving relationships between older and younger Christians. • Give thanks for God’s blessing and provision for the camps that took place over the summer, the Big Free Rally in October and all the young folks that attended. • Pray that God would continue to work in the hearts and lives of the young folks; that home congregations would nurture them and help them to grow in their faith; and pray especially for the young folks that weren’t connected to a church. January week 4: Communication and Finance • Pray that the church can tell the story of what God is doing among us for encouragement and to see a bigger picture of God’s love and grace, and the hope we have in him. • Pray for wisdom for the church in the public sphere. Pray that the church would engage with current affairs graciously and lovingly. • Pray for good communication within local congregations and leadership teams. • Pray that we as a denomination raise funds to help bring the vision for the revitalisations of congregations, new outreach initiatives and training for ministers into fruition. • Give thanks to God for those giving so generously from outwith our denomination. • Pray for the financial situation more generally, for those who are worried and struggling about finance. January week 5: Partnering with others • Give thanks to God that we are partnering with other organisations and churches that share the commitment of proclaiming the true Christian message, for the advancement of God’s work. • Pray that we can work together to see God’s Church become increasingly healthy right across Scotland, and beyond. Jesus Christ is at the very centre of a gospel church. • Give thanks for the work of our Presbyteries as they support and care for our churches. • Pray for partnerships with local churches that share the commitment of proclaiming the true Christian message to work well together to do good and be a blessing to the communities God has placed them in. February week 1: Global Mission • Give thanks for lively mission groups/committees in local congregations, pray that these will multiply. • Give thanks for national churches in South Africa, Peru and India who have all become independent of the Scottish founding church. • Pray for evangelism among the Jewish people and plead with the Lord to bring about that promised return of Israel. • Immigration and diaspora have given opportunities to work with internationals in this country. • Be thankful for many of our young people who have done short-term mission in cross-cultural contexts.

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WORLD NEWS

AMERICAS AFRICA EUROPE ASIA AUSTRALASIA CHRISTIAN LEADERS MEET WITH POLICYMAKERS TO DISCUSS COST OF LIVING CRISIS Evangelical Alliance On 2nd November, an event hosted by Evangelical Alliance and Christians Against Poverty saw 60 gather at Westminster to discuss how best to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Amongst those in attendance were representatives from a variety of government organisations, parliamentarians and poverty relief organisations, with the aim of collaborating to improve efforts to bring support to those most in need. Director of advocacy for the Evangelical Alliance, Danny Webster, shared in his opening address, ‘the church is the most overlooked social support structure in our nations. In every community, Christians are committed to loving their neighbour and making a difference in their communities. Churches and Christian organisations provide life-changing support and provision for those in greatest need.’ Reflecting on the contributions made by churches in his own constituency, Sir Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, spoke highly of local church foodbanks and described churches as ‘indispensable partners.’ Evangelical Alliance is urging parliamentarians to recognise the role played by churches in their communities and to work closely with them. ‘For parliamentarians, whether of faith or none, to effectively tackle the cost-of-living crisis, it is crucial that they build and maintain relationships with churches and Christian organisations operating in their constituency. MPs exist to serve their constituency and churches can be an added source of information on the ground and expertise in resolving social issues.’ •

NIGERIAN JIHADIST GROUPS MURDER 4,000 CHRISTIANS IN 2022 Christian Post According to a report released by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law in November, over 4,000 Christians have been murdered in Nigeria by Islamic jihadist groups this year alone, and over 2,300 other Christians have been abducted. Numerous terrorist groups are operating in Africa’s most populous country, leading to the deterioration of religious freedom and an increase in violence. The United States Commission of International Religious Freedom explained that ‘Violence that infringes on freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria includes militant Islamist violence, identity-based violence at the intersection of religion, ethnicity, and geographic heritage, mob violence against individuals accused of blasphemy, and violence impacting worship.’ It added that ‘In recent years, nonstate actor violence has increased in most parts of Nigeria, and this violence has yielded devastating humanitarian and human rights consequences, including but not limited to violence based on religion and other violations of Nigerians’ rights to freedom of religion or belief.’ •

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PALESTINIAN CHURCH ATTACKED BY NEIGHBOURING MUSLIMS Christianity Today An Orthodox church in Beit Sahur, near Bethlehem, has been attacked by a group of Muslims who threw stones at the congregation, injuring several people. Christian leaders in the region have condemned the attack and called for the Palestinian Authority to take swift action. Archbishop Atallah Hanna of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem released a statement denouncing the assault. ‘What happened on Friday night in Beit Sahur distorts the image of our people and harms civil peace and the good relationship that binds us as the sons of the Palestinian people,’ Hanna stated, as quoted by the Jerusalem Post on Sunday. ‘The church is not a place for settling accounts, fomenting sedition and undermining the unity of our people. What happened in Beit Sahur was horrific.’ Open Doors outlines how Palestinian Christians are frequently finding themselves at odds with both Israeli authorities and the Muslim-majority Palestinian Territories. They state how ‘Palestinian Christians face ethnic persecution from Israelis as a result of the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Their ethnicity results in many restrictions from the Israeli side. Palestinian society is conservative, and conversion from Islam to Christianity or changing from one church denomination to another is unacceptable or socially undesirable because of the close links between family and religion. Laws in the West Bank generally protect religious freedom, whereas those in Gaza are restrictive.’ •

TEARFUND RESPONDS TO FLOODING CRISIS IN PAKISTAN Tearfund Resulting from extreme flooding in Pakistan, more than 2 million homes have been damaged or destroyed. The United Nations has warned that ‘Pakistan is on the verge of a public health disaster,’ with the spread of disease threatening to claim many more lives. Tearfund and its local partners are working in the country to bring food, clean water and shelter. A key challenge facing the team at present is the threat of the fast-approaching winter. Jonathan Johnson, leader of Tearfund’s work in Pakistan, has described the desperate nature of the situation and is urging people to pray. ‘Many people have no shelter while others are living in tents. Please be praying for us as we make plans for the winter, as well as support communities with preventative measures to try and avert illness and disease.’ •

Photo by Ali Hyder Junejo on Flickr

IFES ZAMBIAN MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO BEAR FRUIT IFES In September ZAFES (Zambia Fellowship of Evangelical Students) saw their national office burn down and yet, despite this setback, their progress has not stopped. ZAFES, a ministry of IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students), has devoted itself over many years to bringing the good news to university campuses and beyond. Having recently established their Bible Exposition Self-Training Program, fruit is already visible with many students prepared to not only study the Bible for themselves, but write study guides for others. The study of God’s word is central to the work of ZAFES, with them being best known amongst Christians in the country for their devotional guide, Daily Nuggets. In the four years the devotional has been in production, it has become a valuable tool for Christians across Zambia. Establishing fellowship and partnerships with churches and other believers is also central to the ZAFES ministry. Sixteen churches have pledged to support the movement, enabling ZAFES more financial stability. The mobilisation of graduates has also seen the establishment of nine new associates’ branches in the last year. •

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COULD YOU BE A FUTURE MINISTER IN THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND? BY REV IVER MARTIN PRINCIPAL OF EDINBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY An appeal to young (and not so young) men and the Free Church at large.

the job. But inward compulsion is not the only factor that should determine this question. Unless there is an accompanying proof of giftedness for ministry, conviction alone can be a mistaken impulse. A healthier approach is to think and pray through 1 Timothy 3, where Paul says that if anyone desires to be an overseer, he desires something noble. The starting point is thus a prayerful self-examination of aspirations, personal character and gifts, a love for the gospel and a wholehearted commitment to the work of the church. A second step would be to confide with a trusted friend, elder or your own minister as to whether you might have these qualities. If it’s a “no”, the matter will be settled. If it’s a “maybe”, then the discussion should be widened and tested further within the church. For some, perhaps the prospect of going back to study is too big a challenge. The ETS course is daunting, as is the financial burden of partially supporting yourself and family for four years. Our current fouryear model of church and seminary training places a considerable burden on students, and with rising prices already a reality, the secure option of staying where you are is bound to be tempting. This is of course where conviction and prayerful trust come in. As you bring your future seriously to the Lord, if ministry is on your heart, and your longing is to give your future to the work of the gospel, the obstacles can be overcome and the decision as to whether you devote the remainder of your working life to ministry rests on his guidance in leading you to preach God’s word, pastor his people and share the gospel with our lost communities. Finally, the challenge of finding future ministers needs to be met by all of us in the denomination. Jesus directed his disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out workers into his field. Perhaps the reason why God is not creating new ministers is a wakeup call to whole church and a reminder that all of us have a role to play in fervently asking God to raise up a whole new generation of servants who will fearlessly and lovingly proclaim his word. •

ne of the most serious threats to the healthy church goal is the current shortage of ministers in the free church of scotland.

Right now there are over 20 vacant congregations. With a group of ministers in their low to mid-sixties who are heading for retirement, and not enough Free Church students at ETS, the church is asking where future ministers will come from. One option is that, as our needs are shared outwith the denomination, likeminded ministers from other reformed traditions may come into the Free Church. This has recently happened with several having come from conservative Anglican circles and presbyterian churches (in the UK and USA). While we’re thankful for such transfer, it’s simply not enough. Furthermore, it doesn’t answer the question about whether God is raising future ministers from within the Free Church itself. So, this is an appeal to young (and perhaps not so young) men who are committed to the gospel, who want to see healthy churches in every community, and who are willing to consider the possibility of going into ministry. Will you please pray, asking whether God is leading you into ministry? And will you give serious thought to whether you might be gifted for this unique task. Without doubt, ministry is different from any other profession. The kind of challenges in churches require a certain skill set which not everyone has. Neither is everyone called to ministry. But before we conclude that we’re not, it might be an opportune moment to reflect on just what we mean by a “calling”. It used to often be advised not to consider ministry unless you “couldn’t do anything else”. The idea was that “the call” was something mystical, where God somehow mysteriously, but unmistakably, laid a conviction upon your heart to the extent that you were compelled to leave your job and apply to train for ministry. Inward conviction is important. Indeed, a student who isn’t passionate about the message of the gospel, and has little interest in the church, just isn’t suited to

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor I am puzzled by a statement in the September to October ‘Prayer Diary’ (The Record, September). The entry for Thu 22nd – Sun 25th begins, ‘Jesus performed many miracles’. It goes on to say, ‘His miracles didn’t usually contradict natural law but rather replicated the normal activity of creation at a different speed’. What can such a statement possibly mean? Surely the significance of the miracles of Jesus was precisely that they did contradict ‘natural law’. Indeed, that is what made them miracles. As the definition given in the Cambridge English Dictionary states, it is an event that ‘does not follow the usual laws of nature’. It proceeds to use the miracles of Christ as its illustration. The first miracle of Jesus was turning water into wine at Cana. On his return to the same town he healed the nobleman’s son, who was ‘at the point of death’. Miracle upon miracle followed. He raised the dead; he opened the eyes of the blind; he fed thousands with a few fish and some bread; he walked on water; he provided the tax money out of a fish’s mouth. In what way did that relate to replicating ‘the normal activity of creation at a different speed’? Rather, it must be clear in the miracles that we have a God who is above these regulatory arrangements which he has provided and which we call ‘natural law’. Professor Tommy MacKay Dumbarton Editor’s note: The statement had been intended to highlight that miracles took place through God’s divine intervention and in his timing. To clarify the reference to natural law, there is the example of Jesus turning water into wine; water is needed in the laborious wine-making process but Jesus used it instantly and miraculously to turn it into wine for the wedding. However, having re-read the prayer point, it should have been phrased differently to avoid any confusion about what was meant. There is no doubt that God can do anything. Both spiritual and physical needs were met by Jesus, who showed people who he was, his love for others and his authority over all.

Dear Editor I am grateful to George Coghill for reminding us of the late Professor Donald Mackay and his important contributions to science, philosophy and the relationship between Christianity and science. I well remember the first time I heard Prof Mackay speak at a Free Church Students’ Association meeting in the early 1960s in Edinburgh, where I was a young medical student. Having been bombarded with the confident scientific materialism and reductionism which were dominant in those days, I was delighted to hear him expound his views on complementarity and his devastating critique of reductionism as “nothing-buttery”. Later I heard him expound his views on logical indeterminacy and found them very illuminating in considering free will and determinism. I welcomed his book, The Clockwork Image, and it, along with the writings of CS Lewis and, later Francis Schaeffer, was a great help to me in formulating an apologetic which was Biblical and relevant. It’s a pity that MacKay’s books are out of print. I wonder how he would view the latest fads such as transhumanism and longtermism? Donald M MacDonald Edinburgh

We would love to hear from you…please write to the editor at: The Record, Free Church Offices 15 North Bank Street, The Mound Edinburgh, EH1 2LS or e-mail editor@freechurch.org

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KENNETH MACLENNAN (1928-2022) BY IAIN A. MACKINNON

The death of daughter Jean in 2006 was a sore blow to her parents but they bore this loss with Christian fortitude and acceptance of the providence of God. The death of his dear wife and helpmate in 2007 was a further providence which he bore with faith and exemplary resignation to God’s will but it was obvious to all who knew him that these losses had affected him deeply. Kenneth bore the trials of bereavement and increasing frailty with patience, dignity and an exemplary measure of resignation to God’s providence. In these latter times of trial he displayed a strength of character and cheerfulness which bore witness to his strong faith. His brothers in the Kirk Session mourn a loyal friend, a wise counsellor and a respected ambassador for the cause of Christ in our island community. We extend our sincere condolences to his surviving daughter Chrissie Mairi and sons Kenny and Louis Don and their respective families in the loss of a diligent and loving father who was respected and admired both in his own community of Tong and far beyond. •

t w a s w i t h g reat sadness that the ne w s of the

( kenny buller as h e w a s a f f e ctionately kno w n ) w as received b y h i s n a t i ve v illage of aird tong , the whole i s l a nd o f le w i s and indeed farther afield . After d e a th o f ke n neth mac lennan

his early education in Tong school Kenny completed his secondary education at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway. This was followed by national service in the R.A.F. and further education in London, after which he embarked on a successful business career in his home island. In 1953 Kenneth married Annie Mary MacDonald from Shader, Barvas and this was the start of a long and loving partnership. Kenneth and Annie Mary were blessed with a family of two sons and two daughters: Jean, Chrissie Mairi, Kenneth and Louis Don. Annie Mary made public profession of her faith in Christ on 26th March 1972 during the ministry of Rev. Murdo MacAulay and this had a deep and lasting impression on Kenneth. His attendance on the means of grace had always been diligent and exemplary and it was no surprise to those who knew him when Kenneth also professed his faith publicly on 4th October 2002. Kenneth was ordained as a Deacon on 20th August 2006 and as an Elder on 15th June 2008. In these offices he served with customary diligence and faithfulness. Kenneth had a particular concern for the cause of Christ in his own home village of Tong. As a consequence he was diligent in encouraging the provision of gospel services in Tong Mission House. The excellent state of repair of that building is testament to his organisational and motivational skills as a Trustee of the Mission House. Kenny was a man of vision and adept in encouraging and persuading others to assist him in making that vision a reality. Problems were encountered with the attitude that with God’s help they were there to be solved. This was never more evident than in his efforts on behalf of Bethesda Hospice and Care Home in Stornoway. Bethesda was itself a testament to the vision and determination of those who were the prime movers in the establishment of the project and in bringing it to fruition. Kenny’s input to the expansion and improvement of the facilities at Bethesda was immense. In all his many involvements in community and charity work Kenny never asked others to give more of their time and effort than he was prepared to give himself. He was truly a man of great vision, energy and motivational ability.

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Aig Dia 's ro-phrìseil bàs a naomh. Dear in God’s sight is the death of his saints Psalm 116:15

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JOAN SIDNEY FRASER CAMERON (1936-2022)

oan

was

born

dalhalvaig

croft

Back in Scotland, with her heart still very much among the dear Xhosa folk, Ken and Joan settled in Menstrie with membership in Dunblane Free Church congregation. Joan was a loving mother and grandmother and took a faithful and supportive interest in her sons David and Kenneth, her daughter-in-law Jacqui and her grandchildren Ellen and Katie. Joan had a lovely caring heart and any who attached the adage of JOY (Jesus first, Others next, Yourself last) to her would not be short of the mark. She was indeed (as David said of Saul and Jonathan) lovely and pleasant in her life and has left behind for us a sterling example of love, constancy, care and faithfulness. Thirteen years of retirement had its joys but were peppered with increasingly trying and often very painful medical problems, which suddenly in a different form brought her earthly sojourn and service to an end; and she slipped quietly across that time/ eternity interface into the presence of the Saviour she had served and so long. We thank God for the fragrant memories she has left us and her works follow her. •

ha l l a da l e and educated at the halladale p r i m a ry and bonar bridge and golspie high

s c h oo l s .

She followed her dream to Edinburgh to train as a nurse (RGN) and on to Bellshill to qualify as midwife (SCH) where she studied, collecting the Hospital Gold Medal and thereafter nursing in Helmsdale and Edinburgh. She married the Rev Kenneth W R Cameron, accompanying him for two years as Minister’s wife on Prince Edward Island (Canada’s smallest province) before returning to Scotland, for six years in Coatbridge and 20 years’ service in Thurso Free Church. Very early in life, under the preaching of the beloved Duncan Leitch, she responded to the call of the Gospel and received Christ as her Saviour and Lord, and from then on the guidelines of her life were set and all would now be done with an eye to the honour and glory of her newfound master and friend King Jesus. In her last twelve years in Thurso she was a very popular medical receptionist whose contribution to improving the working practice was appreciated to the extent of awarding her full continuing salary while accompanying Ken on a six-week church visit to Canada to help with youth work there. A short spell in 1988 in South Africa assisting the church there resulted in further response to a call to return and finish their ministry to the AmaXhosa people of Transkei, Eastern Cape for fourteen years from 1991. In these years of missionary service alongside Ken, Joan felt fulfilled as never before, commenting often that she now saw all her life as a preparation for these African years. Equally at home among the rondavel huts on the South African veldt as anywhere, she fell in love with the people and they with her. The abject poverty that she encountered appalled her and led her to establish, with the help of friends, her ‘In as much’ (Matthew 20) charity which helped to educate and clothe some thirty children, seeing some through to university graduation; to build and repair around 16 houses (African style); and finance medical assistance for very many poor people in the church community. When at last retirement demanded return to Scotland, the outpouring of love from the people at the farewell gathering of the sixteen congregations then under Ken had to be seen to be believed.

QUOTATIONS: What a power the believers in Christ will be in this world, where such multitudes are hateful and hating one another, when they all come to abound in deep, pure, fervent love to God and to their neighbours! Charles Octavius Boothe

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ANGUS JOHN MACLEAN AND JOHN MACDONALD BY REV THOMAS DAVIES

his strength and rest in Jesus, and he faithfully and consistently pointed others to Him. John MacDonald, known in the community as Iain na Spioc, was the longest serving elder in Carloway, and one of the longest serving in the island. Born in Doune Carloway in 1926, he began following Jesus in 1957 under the ministry of Murdo Murray and became a member of the congregation in March 1962. In 1977, he was ordained as a deacon, and as an elder in 1984. In 1970 he married Cathie, and they set up their home in Doune Carloway. In the years that followed, their beautiful garden flourished and their home became a warm and welcoming destination for family and friends. Iain, like many of his contemporaries, was a Harris Tweed weaver and for many years he worked from his home producing the famous island cloth. At church, Iain was a constant presence for many, many years. He always sought to provide a warm welcome at the door, and as an elder, he offered wise counsel and consistent encouragement to all. He was a quiet man but his gentle and godly manner meant that, when he did speak, everyone would listen. Iain had a remarkable knowledge of local history, and would speak of the people and places of years gone by. He knew many of the remarkable events connected to the revival in Carloway that took place almost 100 years ago. He was also an avid reader of theology, always looking to learn more of how much God has done for his people through his Son. His knowledge meant that he was always able to provide guidance and help to younger Christians, and he gave superb contributions to fireside discussions during times of fellowship. He also took a keen interest in mission work and both he and Cathie gave wonderful support to overseas mission throughout their lives together. In recent years, old age meant that he was unable to attend church. But despite this, he maintained a keen interest in the life of the church and kept in regular contact with the other office bearers and the congregation. Moreover, he continued to labour hard for the cause of Christ through his faithful and fervent prayers. During these latter years, he was lovingly cared for by his wife, Cathie, and as his health declined, he was able to have his final days at home in Doune, the village where he had been such a faithful witness for so many years. Iain was taken home to glory on July 27th 2022. His passing came over 60 years after he became a member of Carloway Free Church and brought to an end almost four decades as an elder in the congregation. Throughout that time, Iain’s humility, gentleness and faithful commitment to his Saviour was a wonderful model to us all. Always one who was happier in the background, Iain’s greatest desire was that, in life and in death, all the honour and glory would go to Christ. •

his past year has seen the passing of two beloved

elders

from

the

carloway

free

church . The following tributes are a small mark of the sincere appreciation felt by the congregation and community for the life and witness of both men. Angus John Maclean, known to all as Choppy, was born in Callanish in 1962. Having attended school on the island, he trained as a mechanic and worked for many years in Stornoway. During this time, he met and married Mary Ann, and they had four children; Jackie, Karen, Colin and Aoghnas Iain. Having developed severe arthritis at an early age, Choppy was unable to continue working as a mechanic, but giving up his trade gave him the opportunity to pour his energy into crofting. For many years, he reared both sheep and cattle, and the meat that came from his livestock gained an outstanding reputation throughout the island. Despite the challenges caused by the pain of his arthritis, Choppy was an immensely active member of the community, frequently travelling to buy machinery and livestock, and, along with his family, he was always ready and willing to help others when they needed a hand. Choppy was well into his forties when he came to faith in Jesus, but it was remarkable how quickly he matured into a wise and godly leader in the church. He became a deacon in Carloway Free Church in December 2014 and the was ordained as an elder in January 2017. As both an elder and deacon, Choppy took an active role in the life and mission of the church. At meetings, he provided a wise and gentle voice that always sought to keep coming back to God’s priorities rather than man’s. He was always ready to welcome people to the services and was anxious that the congregation was active in mission to the community around us. Choppy also led a Road to Recovery group for many years and he gave patient and kind support to those who were struggling with addiction, always seeking to point them to Jesus. The last two years saw Choppy face two great trials. The first was news of serious illness faced by his daughter Jackie, which she carried with enormous courage until she passed away in September 2021. Choppy was a rock of strength to Jackie, her husband Robert and their young son Ross throughout all of Jackie’s illness. In the midst of that trial, Choppy himself was diagnosed with cancer. He went through several months of treatment which he bore with extraordinary patience, especially as over time he was experiencing increasingly severe pain. In final months, he was beautifully cared for by his family and he maintained a keen interest in both the croft and the church, frequently joining church zoom meetings despite his illness becoming worse. On April 10th, 2022, he passed away. Despite the hard providences of recent years, Choppy’s faith was an extraordinary example to us all. He constantly found

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One of the partnership hubs, based in Clydebank, have regular participants who meet on a weekly basis for fellowship and support. Some participants have shared their stories and how being involved in the partnership hub has helped their journeys: ‘I have hope now when I thought I’d never change.’ Chris.

t a time when drug and alcohol related deaths are at an all-time high, and the wider impact

‘I have overcome heroin addiction, which I used for over 10 years. With the help of the group meetings and one to one counselling I am eight months clean and sober.’ Tony

of addiction has such a negative impact on our

society, the local church has a key role to play in supporting people towards life transformation.

Street Connect is a Christian charity offering hope and opportunity of recovery for individuals who are disadvantaged by addiction and associated issues including homelessness and poor mental health. A key element of Street Connect’s work is partnering with churches to tackle the addiction epidemic, by reaching and supporting individuals in their recovery journey and helping them towards the fulfilment of their God-given potential. Our vision is to form new church partnerships in communities across the UK. Street Connect understand that there are many churches who want to tackle this issue but are not sure how to go about it. There are also churches who have started an outreach work in this field but are struggling to move people forwards. This is where Street Connect can help. We can train, support and equip local churches to run effective outreach and support services to transform lives. Our outreach services consist of street outreach and drop-in cafes. We follow Jesus’ example by going to where the people are. Our support services are centred around: 1-2-1 support, community recovery groups and rehab referrals. This effectively gives people a choice of community recovery or getting away to residential rehab.

‘Since I have come to the group, it has helped me greatly. I have learned to control my addiction and I know in time I shall beat it, and I also have started my relationship with God which I really did not have beforehand.’ William A video, which can be found at the link below, highlights what a church partnership with Street Connect can look like and the difference that can be made to your local community: www.youtu.be/xOa6hiOD6rY If you have a passion to impact your community, and any of the above projects look of interest to you and your church, please get in touch by completing our Partnership enquiry form which you can find on our website www.streetconnect.co.uk/churchpartnerships If you have any questions on our partnerships, please contact us at info@streetconnect.co.uk or directly to our Partnership Co-ordinator: david. connell@streetconnect.co.uk •

One of our drop in services (Greenock)

Participant Iain at his baptism with Pastor/group leader Craig and his wife

2022/2023

Street Connect projects staff doing outreach work in Paisley

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PAGES FROM ADAM’S DIARY God's Provision at Burger King A brother, known to some of us as Dr Adam, has served the Lord among his suffering church for many years. Dr Adam has also ministered in various parts of the world among refugees. We have asked his permission to print some of the stories of his life and service for the encouragement of readers of The Record. For well understood reasons, the names of people and places have usually been changed or omitted.

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The Lord always gives and gives. No one on the face of the earth comes anywhere close to his generosity. It is impossible to outgive the Lord.

he lord will provide!

Photo by Vitor Monthay on Unsplash

That was one of the first statements I heard as a young Christian forty-two years ago and one of the most important principles I have learned in this journey following the Saviour. The Lord always sees to it— he always provides. He provides not only for the needs of his own people, but even the needs of those who have turned their backs upon Him. This is who he is. It is part of his holy, good disposition. It is like light—it is part of the disposition of light to illuminate. The Lord always gives and gives. No one on the face of the earth comes anywhere close to his generosity. It is impossible to outgive the Lord. In this race, we always come short. I have witnessed and experienced that more times than I can count. He provides not only for our material needs, but for all of our needs, especially our spiritual needs. How many times during these years have I seen him provide a way out in circumstances in which there seemed to be no way? He provides comfort and peace when we are caught and sinking in the quagmire of despondency. When we lose heart and hopelessness overpowers our mind, he gives us faith and hope. He provides courage when we are in the grip of fear. The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts the songs of deliverance and confidence in our father in Heaven (Psalm 32:7; 119:114; 42:1-11). He provides and provides for all our needs. We find in him our sufficiency. I have seen it ceaselessly in this pilgrimage to the City of God (Hebrews 11:10). Immediately after the fall of Adam, the Lord provided a covering for man who was now stripped and exposed by sin. That covering was a picture of the provision of the ultimate covering, Christ our Passover. When the Lord introduced Himself to the man who became His friend, Abraham, one of the most significant lessons Abraham learned was that God provides. When Abraham was asked to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, the son who was more precious to him than his own life, he learned one of the most important lessons that all friends of God learn: Jehovah Jireh. John Calvin believed that this name for God teaches us, ‘God not only looks upon those who are his, but also makes his help manifest to them…’ (Commentary on Genesis 22:14). Our Lord’s ‘natural’ inclination is to provide. Picture a mother in relation to her infant child. She is the all-sufficient source of all that the child needs—safety, security, sustenance, everything. The moment that infant cries in hunger, her milk begins to flow—that is her natural, involuntary response. It is instinctive to her as a mother. She may be afraid of a mouse, but if her child is in danger, she will face a lion to protect the child. Of course, God is not a man. He is wholly perfect and that analogy is only a human picture. However, this picture is how it is with God in relation to those who are his. He provides and in him is found all that we need. Two years ago, I was visiting a refugee camp in a remote area in the Netherlands. That morning about 30 people in that refugee center had come to my evangelistic meeting. Usually in these gatherings, there are a few believers and a whole lot of unbelievers (non- Christians), who are either seriously interested in learning about the Christian faith or they are bored to tears in the camp and have nothing else to do. They come to pass the time of day. In the course of these years, I have frequently seen how often the Holy Spirit has gripped the hearts of some among this latter group and transformed their lives forever. I know of many who came to the meetings because they had nothing else to do, and the Spirit of God pierced their hearts before they left, and today they are in full-time Christian ministry.

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I know of many who came to the meetings because they had nothing else to do, and the Spirit of God pierced their hearts before they left, and today they are in full-time Christian ministry. In these meetings, I often begin by reciting the story of my own conversion and faith in our Saviour. From there, I will teach passages in which men are invited to come to the one who is the Living Bread, the fountain of Living Water, the Light of life and the Good Shepherd. And then I allow them to ask questions. Quite often such meetings go on for hours, hours which to all of us seem fleeting moments because of the presence of the Lord. On that particular day, I had already visited that camp earlier and this was my last day before I was due to leave the Netherlands. In the early afternoon, as I concluded our day together, I thought it would be good to get them out of the camp and treat them to a meal. On the road that morning, I had noticed a Burger King about half a mile or so from the camp. I invited everyone to walk together to go there and have a meal before I had to leave them. When we arrived at the restaurant, everyone lined up to place their orders. I reached into my pocket for my wallet only to discover it was not there. A foreboding sense of panic came over me— had I dropped it somewhere? But where? Maybe on the train, maybe in the camp, maybe on the road? I was not certain. (I had actually left it in my room!) I was in a dreadful state, not only because I thought I had lost my wallet, but also trying to work out how I was going to pay for 25+ meals. A cold sweat broke out all over my body as the excitement of treating these dear people turned into dismay. Suddenly a young woman from behind the counter called my name. Then she rushed over to where I was standing, embraced me and asked, ‘Do you remember me?’ I replied that her face was familiar but I could not place her as to where I would have met her. She answered, ‘About 5 years ago, I was in a refugee camp (and she named the place) and you came and spoke to us. I still remember your lesson: The Gospel of John 7:37-38: “If anyone thirsts let him come to me, (the Lord Jesus), and drink from me, the fountain of the Living Water!”’ She was now in tears as she recollected this encounter: ‘I came and I drank. You gave us hope when we were submerged in hopelessness. I was given everything I needed—I was introduced to my Saviour. Before you left, you gave all of us Bibles and answered our questions. It was the happiest day of my life.’ I asked her what she was doing in that Burger King. She replied, ‘I am the manager of this branch of Burger King. After I was granted asylum, I found a job at this company and now I am one of the managers.’ She then asked, ‘And what are you doing here? Are you visiting the camp nearby?’ I said yes and I explained that I had been to the camp that morning. She queried, ‘Who are all these people with you? Are they refugees from the camp?’ I answered, ‘Yes. They are all asylum seekers and I am treating them to a meal.’ At which point she exclaimed, ‘The treat is on me! Please tell them to order whatever they want.’ She then shouted out to them, ‘Please order whatever you want. You are all my guests.’ And then proceeded to tell them the story of our meeting and her conversion. I could not say much other than to bless the name of the Lord, not only for His work in the heart of this dear young lady, but also for both delivering me from a horrible impasse and for His wonderful provision! The God who always provides! ! •

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Ùrachadh nèamhaidh (Divine refreshing) LE JANET NICPHÀIL

huala sinn searmon àlainn à leabhar nan salm,

bhith ag ràdh gur e 'deagh ionaltradh'. Ann an cluaintean glasa, riaraicht' agus sàsaichte, laighidh a' chaora sìos. Tha deagh ionaltradh againn anns an t-Soisgeul, agus beathaichidh am buachaille-sa A threud Fhèin à Fhìrinn Fhèin. Nuair a tha Fhacal a' tighinn beò nar fèinfhiosrachadh, cuiridh seo spionnadh nar beatha, agus tha e a' dèanamh gach nì furast', agus cinnt againn gu bheil Esan còmhla rinn. Tha e math ùine a chur seachad a' meòrachadh air na th'air a thasgadh suas anns an Fhacal. Ann an Leabhar Iosua nach leugh sinn na facail, 'Cha tèid leabhar an lagha seo às do bheul; ach beachd-smaoinichidh tu air a là agus a dh' oidhche', oir is ann an sin a bhiodh soirbheachadh. Tha e math cuideachd a bhith ga chur an gnìomh nar caithe-beatha. Is ann glè thric a ruith air falbh o Dhia a bhios an duine, agus sin le eagal. Nach do rinn Adhamh seo ann an gàrradh Edein? Nuair a nì Esan obair annainn, is ann thuige a bhios sinn a' ruith. Tha am peacadh a thug oirnn' a bhith a' teiche bhuaithe a-nis a' toirt oirnn' a bhith a' ruith chun a' Chruthaidheir. Nuair a pheacaicheas sinn, bidh sinn coltach ri Daibhidh a' dòrtadh ar cridhe a-mach, agus tha an Cruthaidhear an-còmhnaidh deònach ar gabhail air-ais. Tha na caoraich eòlach orra-san a tha gam beathachadh. Feumaidh sinn ar beatha earbsa Ris-san. Is e deagh ùrnaigh a tha seo, 'Dèan mi am sholas lasrach anns an t-saoghal-sa.' Nam biodh ar beatha ag earbs' às gu tur, bhiodh ar n-anam air a dheagh uisgeachadh le Criosd, uisge na beatha, agus le driùchd nèamhaidh an Spioraid. Abair ùrachadh bhon Bhuachaille mhath! •

an treas salm thar fhichead, agus thuirt an teachdaire ged a bha an t-salm-sa sìmplidh, gu

robh i làn teagaisg.

Ann an dòigh, thuirt e gu robh e den bheachd gu robh a h-uile nì anns an t-salm-sa, agus gu robh e duilich salm eile a chur air thoiseach oirre. 'Is e an Tighearna mo bhuachaille'. Sin mar a tha i a' tòiseachadh, agus bhruidhinn e air daoine ainmeil a bha nam buachaillean. B'e buachaille a bh'ann an Abel agus ann am Maois. B'e buachaill' a bh'ann an Daibhidh a thàinig gu bhith na rìgh. Leughaidh sinn ùrnaigh ann an Leabhar nan Salm, ann an salm a tha a' tòiseachadh mar seo, 'Èist aodhair Israeil a stiùir Iòseph mar threud led làimh'. Nach b'e Criosd Fhèin 'am Buachaille math' a leig anam sìos airson a chàirdean? Tha an t-Salm a' tòiseachadh le cinnt, 'Is e an Tighearna mo bhuachaille'. Is e dàimh stèidhicht' ann an gràdh a tha eadar Dia agus A shluagh, agus shamhlaich e seo ri dàimh eadar dithis ann am pòsadh. Nach e an eaglais 'Bean bainnse an Uain?' Ma thèid sinn air seacharan, caillidh sinn fagaisgeachd a' Chruthaidheir. Cha bhi blàths A cho-chomainn againn, ach chuir e nar cuimhne gur e peacaich chaillt' a thàinig Criosd, am Buachaille math, a theàrnadh. Chan eil an Crìosdaidh riaraicht' aig àm sam bith leis an eòlas a th'aige air a' bhuachaille-sa. Nach eil an t-Abstol Pòl ag ràdh,'A-chùm gum biodh eòlas agam Airsan, agus air cumhachd aiseirigh, agus air co-chomann fhulangais'? Ann an Glòir bidh sinn a' sìor fhòghlaim. Tha mòran folaicht' bhuainn, ach tha Criosd ann, agus is e sin an t-aon nì feumail. Dh' fhaighnich an teachdaire dè a bheireadh air caora laighe sìos, agus fhreagair e fhèin a' cheist le

2022/2023

B'e an t-Urramach K. I. Macleòid a bha a' searmonachadh agus tha sinn a' toirt taing dha.

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FOOD FOR FELLOWSHIP Giving gifts at Christmas is one of my favourite things to do. Around the 1st or 2nd of October I start to think about presents! I have to do this secretly as my husband cannot cope with talk of jingle bells that early on in the year, but Christmas takes a lot of organising and budgeting. Between writing cards, seeing family and friends, church activities, parties and mince pies there is something else that I have to prioritise, and that is my neighbours. Every year since we moved to our village, I have given my neighbours a small homemade gift (things like roasted nuts or truffles). Some of these neighbours are our friends but some are just passing acquaintances who we don’t see very often. But taking the small and simple step of going round with a wee Christmas gift has opened the door for friendship with so many of them. In our little circle street we have eight houses. Two years ago, only one of those houses were connected to our church, now three are. We praise God for this and although our sticky, misshaped truffles had only a small part to play, I believe God used them in our personal outreach. For some neighbours this was a great chance to invite them to our church carol service. For others more hesitant about coming to church, it’s just a small opportunity to show love, with the prayer that next year they will be more open to receive an invitation. I’ve only shared the Gospel with complete strangers a handful of times, but I have had the joy of sharing the truth with people I know, much more. Therefore, by opening our home, sharing our lives with people creates opportunities to share our faith, giving a homemade gift at Christmas can be a step in that direction. This year our church has had the privilege of seeing two men come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This year we praise God afresh that he gave us the gift of his Son to this sinful world. This is the greatest gift we, or any of our neighbours, could ever receive. It’s amazing to think that here in Scotland and all over the world, God is growing his church. As I give the gift of a bag of chocolate macaroons or a jar of chutney, mincemeat or homemade cookies, I pray that God will then give me opportunities to share this great gift of love that came down at Christmas. • Megan Gray

MESSAGE FROM WFM COMMITTEE: This Christmas on behalf of the Women for Mission, we’d like to encourage you to give a small gift to those around you who don’t yet know Jesus as their Saviour. Food can be such a great ice breaker and here is a delicious, cheap and easy recipe for Chocolate Macaroons adapted from the Women for Mission Favourite Recipes (1) book, page 118.

Fall on your knees! Receive the Gift of heaven! O night divine, O night when Christ was born O night, O holy night when Christ was born O Holy Night (Hear the Gospel Story) by Sovereign Grace Music. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Women for Mission committee. We are praying that in the year ahead all the projects we are supporting will know great blessing. Please remember the work of WfM in your prayers, and please do consider us in your giving during 2023. And thank you for your support - we couldn’t do this work without the faithful women (and men!) in all our congregations. •

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Come then to Him Who lies within the manger, With joyful shepherds, proclaim Him as Lord. Let not the Promised Son remain a stranger; In reverent worship, make Christ your Adored. Eternal life is theirs who would receive Him; With grace and peace, their lives He will adorn.

Ingredients • 4oz (100g) margarine (or a dairy free option) • 8oz (225g) sugar • 4oz (100g) drinking chocolate (eg. half Galaxy Vegan Hot Chocolate and half Green and Blacks Hot Chocolate) • 4tblsp milk (or Oat Milk) • 8oz (225g) porridge oats • 8oz (225g) coconut For rolling • extra coconut • Icing sugar

Method • Melt the margarine and sugar over a low heat. • Add the chocolate and milk. Simmer for a few minutes. • Remove from the heat and stir in the oats and coconut. • Cover your hands in icing sugar (this helps to create a shape and roll the mixture into balls and then cover in coconut. • Bag or box up, add a little Christmas ribbon and give to neighbours and friends.

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BOOK REVIEWS Our books this month are great for advent and gifting, but are also important titles for any season of the year. LET US WORSHIP GOD DEREK W.H. THOMAS (2021) Christians can often take what they believe for granted. In similar vein, Derek Thomas feels that we often adopt particular practices in church worship without thoroughly looking at their scriptural basis. This interesting and valuable book considers methodically twelve aspects to Christian worship and how these are ordered by God. In doing so, Thomas helps readers from whatever Christian tradition they find themselves in to examine what should really constitute a worship service. Clearly Thomas writes from the perspective of an experienced Christian minister in a large Presbyterian church in the USA and I wonder how some of what he says would apply in different contexts, e.g. smaller churches without ministers. Although I belong to a different Christian persuasion from Thomas, I found this book both illuminating and useful when thinking about the way we worship. However, I would have benefited from a fuller exploration of the role of the body in worship, not just in the use of liturgy and psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. • This book is available to purchase from Mound Books. Gari Lewis, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Llwynhendy

THE MAGNIFICENT TIME MACHINE SINCLAIR FERGUSON (2022) This is a wonderfully simple story, told through pictures and few words, of the life of our world, with Jesus at the centre. A time machine engages the young reader by asking them to step inside and travel with the pictures. It travels past well-known events such as sending men to the moon, and Robert the Bruce. The time machine arrives in the first century AD seeing stories we know from the Bible but then picks up speed and continues into the Old Testament, inviting the reader to listen in to a private conversation before the beginning of our time. The promise of that conversation is worked out over the next section of travel. The culmination of the story is at your town, your house, and your church. This is an inspired book for children with easy language and the most beautiful illustrations by Martyn Smith. Ferguson has paraphrased the Bible in a way that is accessible to the youngest of readers who will remember this book well into their adult years. • This book is available from 10ofthose.com Duncan MacPherson, North Harris Free Church

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BOOK OF THE MONTH BRIGHTEST AND BEST PHILIPPA WILSON (2022) Christmas is a time when we’re meant to be joyfully singing carols and eating mince pies right? Yet, in a world that is full of brokenness, pain, and sin it can feel difficult to feel joyful at this time of year. In these short devotions Philippa is realistic about the reality of life in a fallen world and points us to the only true source of hope, joy, and peace, Jesus Christ: ‘To people walking in the reality of the world as it is, in exhaustion, despair and mourning, God speaks tenderly…the comfort of advent is that the Lord has come. It’s the comfort that the Lord is coming’. In her first part, each devotion is based on the line from a Christmas carol and reflects on why Jesus is the brightest and best both in the moments of great joy, and great sorrow. She travels through many of the familiar Christmas passages while also dipping into other passages along the way, looking at who Jesus is, why he has come, and why that is good news for us as we wait for him to come again. The second part covers the slightly odd time between Christmas and New Year, where to be honest I often find myself struggling in my daily bible reading after I’ve finished my advent devotional and for some reason feel I should wait till 1st January to start that new plan. It guides us as we reflect on the year that’s been and look ahead to the year to come. It gives an opportunity to focus your mind on who Christ is and why he makes a difference to our disappointments, hopes and plans. Philippa is wonderfully honest about her own struggles throughout these devotions, and how these truths of Jesus make a difference to her day-to-day life. She holds out the glorious hope of the gospel and how it shines brightly even on the darkest days. I loved how each day I was reminded of another aspect of who Jesus is and led to praise him anew. I thoroughly recommend these devotions as you prepare for Christmas, or to be honest anytime as I read them through September and found them a helpful refocus each morning as I walk with Christ. • This book is available from Mound Books. Carrie Marlow, Free North Church, Inverness

OVERCOMING WALLS TO WITNESSING TIMOTHY K. BEOUGHER (2021) This short but excellent book from Dr Timothy K. Beougher is called Overcoming walls to Witnessing, when more precisely, it is like taking a stick of dynamite to the reasons we don’t witness or share our faith. Dr Beougher challenges us to see that the often self-built walls to our evangelism are easily dismantled by the Gospel. Overcoming Walls to Witnessing is structured on six common issues facing people and encourages the reader to see that these do not need to be walls that stand the test of time but rather are better to be blown away by the Good News of Jesus. I would encourage the reader of this wee book to pass it on to members of their church family rather than keep it in their office, study or bookshelf after reading. • This book is available from 10ofthose.com. Chris Davidson, Merkinch Free Church, Inverness

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MEDICINE IN THE MOUNTAINS DAVID HAWKER, ELLEN FINDLAY AND MIKE SMITH (2022) This is a truly inspiring account of the fulfilling of the vision of a remarkable Scottish nurse, Ellen Findlay, and an English ENT Surgeon, Mike Smith, to provide specialist medical and surgical care through camps in the mountains of Nepal. It is ably told by Dr David Hawker, who graduated in medicine with me in Edinburgh in 1967 and, after training in Anaesthetics, served as an anaesthetist for nine years with INF (International Nepal Fellowship) in Pokhara, Western Nepal. The book is enriched by black and white maps and photographs and by excerpts from the diaries and letters of Ellen, Mike and others who helped in the Camps. It begins with David’s account of his helping out as an anaesthetist at one of these camps many years later and this whets our appetite for what follows. Nepal was never colonised and, though it escaped the worse aspects of colonialism, it missed out on the development of infrastructure such as roads and educational and medical services. Only in 1951 did the way open for missions to enter the country, with small groups entering Nepal from India, including a group that became INF. Ellen, from Wishaw, first trained as a typist and then as a nurse with a calling to missionary service. She arrived in Pokhara in 1970 and worked first in the famous Shining Hospital, so called because it was constructed with aluminium Nissen huts, and then in the nearby Green Pastures Hospital for leprosy patients. There she worked with Mike Smith, who, after two years, had to return to England because of family illness. It was there he trained as an ENT surgeon. In 1990 he returned to Nepal and was seconded by INF to the Western Government Hospital in Pokhara, jointly run by the Government and INF. He and Ellen saw how patients with advanced diseases were coming to hospital, only with great difficulty because of poverty and lack of transport. The Government were only beginning to set up primary health care and small rural hospitals and few people wanted to work in the isolated mountain areas with poor facilities. After prayer and some surveys, Ellen and Mike decided to hold a week-long specialist ENT camp at a place only 6 hours away - 2 by LandRover and 4 by foot! All equipment had to be carried, including an operating microscope. They saw over 400 patients and did 17 operations in a clinic which had to be thoroughly cleaned. This demonstrated that the idea was feasible. Over the next 25 years many camps were held in much more inaccessible locations and in the face of many obstacles: poor roads, bad weather, high altitude, often unreliable vehicles, even helicopters, not to mention earthquakes, rapid political change - with the Maoist insurrection, the fall of the monarchy, and the eventual emergence of a democratic government. Mike successfully performed many complicated

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operations, such as mastoidectomy and reconstruction of the middle ear. He used his medical connections in England, where he became a consultant ENT surgeon, to recruit volunteer specialists, who, at their own expense, gave up part of their holidays to help at various specialist camps, such as ophthalmology, ENT, gynaecology, plastic and general surgery. They also trained junior Nepali surgeons. Having worked in rural India, I have seen some gross pathology, but it pales into insignificance compared to some of what they had to deal with. Although thousands of operations were done over the years, Ellen and Mike realised this was only a temporary measure until preventative primary and secondary care was provided in the remote areas. Over the years, Ellen and Mike built up a great Nepali team who cared for the equipment, organised the logistics, and made sure the camps ran efficiently. Also, through their planning, an ENT and a women’s hospital were built and staffed in cooperation with the Government in Pokhara and Mike spent half the year there. The book is enriched by black and white maps and photographs, and by excerpts from the diaries and letters of Ellen, Mike and others who helped in the camps. This is a wonderful story of faith, persistence and God’s faithfulness. • Available to buy from Amazon.co.uk, Price £8.99 Donald M MacDonald

DECEMBER/JANUARY

GLEANINGS OF A SHEPHERD’S WIFE IBBY MACIVER, SELF-PUBLISHED (2021) This is a beautifully produced little book, illustrating with photographs and quotations from the Bible the parallels between the lives of sheep and shepherd in the present day and the teaching of the Bible, particularly about Jesus the Good Shepherd. Ibby MacIver is a sheep farmer’s wife in the Black Isle and thus ideally placed to observe and reflect on these parallels.

The areas covered include: the sheep knowing the shepherd’s voice; sheep straying and getting lost; adoption; separation from God; sheep submitting meekly to shearing; the shepherd knowing his sheep; some reflections from the 23rd Psalm; and some lessons from sheepdogs. This is essentially a devotional book, illustrating lessons from the Bible with examples from the world of shepherding, and so it is useful in encouraging Christians in their faith and walk with God. However, I’m also sure it could be used in outreach to uncommitted friends. This is a little book, but often good things come in small bulk and, because it is short, it is easily read by those who don’t read much, and also easy to hold by those who are ill. • Copies are available from: ibby.maciver@mailsaq.net, 01463 731369. Alex J MacDonald

The Soldiers' and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association

Executive Director SASRA has been introducing members of the British Armed Forces to a practical experience of the Christian faith since 1838 and is looking for an inspirational Christian leader to take on the role of shaping and growing one of the largest gospel youth ministries in Europe. The position is available as a hybrid role and requires a deep familiarity with military ethos, Chaplaincy and the Chain of Command. Previous military experience at a senior level is desirable. If you have a heart for the young men and women of the British Armed Forces, leadership experience in business, ecclesiastical, or the charity sector and possess strong presentation and interpersonal skills, we would like to hear from you. If you are a capable Christian leader with experience of the Armed Forces and would like to apply, please request the full Job Pack by sending a covering letter with a brief summary demonstrating your suitability to recruit@sasra.org.uk There is an occupational requirement for the job holder to be an evangelical Christian.

MISSION MATTERS A monthly take on some of the mission work the Free Church is involved in by our Mission Director, DAVID MEREDITH

international, underground evangelistic mission? Geneva became the major missionary-sending centre of the time. Missionaries went to many parts of Europe, but there were two main fields of concern — France and Brazil. We stand in a great flow of distilled truth. Theology is like alpine water which has percolated down miles of a mountain river providing a pure, cool and refreshing drink to eager travellers. That’s why we need people with missional drive and evangelistic zeal to communicate the truths of the Bible to modern Scotland. Substantial truth with contemporary application is the very sweet spot of mission. Deliberate obscurantism hinders the gospel. Flash communication without revealed truth is mist. Long before the rise and fall of the Young, Restless and Reformed, I used the term ‘contemporary Calvinism’. It’s a term which I rather like and which has always defined my own approach in ministry. We need creeds and confessions as never before as evangelicalism is getting lost in an ill-defined swamp of social and political distractions. Confessions are not trenches in which to hide or ideas to be weaponised in a conflict with our fellow believers. They serve as an encouragement to mission and a summary of our main emphasis. The big command is always to ‘make disciples of all nations.’ Remember what CH Spurgeon said when asked to reconcile divine sovereignty with human responsibility. He said, “I wouldn’t try, I never reconcile friends.” Healthy disciples are made when the same person can wear skinny jeans and a suit. Bear in mind … that’s a metaphor, not a suggestion.. •

n the one corner we have the missional crew and in the other , the confessional squad .

Gloves off as they fight over who is the most biblical. Which group of people can claim the title of Calvin’s children? Of course caricatures abound. We have a lattesipping, skinny-jeaned, Converse-wearing church planter against the boys (and they are mostly males in this battle) with the striped ties, dark suits and ‘I love RC Sproul’ pin badges. My hope and prayer is that the battles we see on the other side of the pond will gain no traction within the Free Church and the wider UK scene. If we want to engage in mission in our context we must be both Confessional and Missional. These two emphases require each other just as healthy body requires both legs. Take the Confessional elements. A quick glance through the Westminster Confession will reveal that it is inspirational in terms of mission. Within the first paragraph we are led to the necessity of the Bible for the ‘better preserving and propagating of the truth.’ There you have it, church growth language on page 1. Even when talking about election the Confession clearly speaks of the ‘means’ required to bring the elect to faith. That word ‘means’ is mentioned a lot. What is the Church for? Again the Confession nails it, ‘Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints …’ In the Westminster Confession we have 33 chapters packed with as good a summary of the theological basics as you will find anywhere. Do not forget that it’s people who have signed the Westminster Confession of Faith and its cousins who have been responsible for the modern missionary movement. While we are talking about missionaries, confessions and our favourite Frenchman, Mr Calvin, why not consider the fact that Calvin was the director of an

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POETRY PAGE MARY PONDERING BY REV RODDIE RANKIN Poetry takes time. Time to write and time to read. Often poems seek to capture a situation or a set of mind, as this one does. The subject’s insights and emotions may become ours. Perhaps, if you stop to observe a few imagined moments in the later life of Mary, mother of our Lord, you will feel and ponder, just as scripture says she did. • I remember being wary of what followed Greetings, as when young friends returning From Capernaum found me: Miriam! Inviting them to sit I braced myself. Stories tumbled from their lips; they watched Like children goading for reaction, As though they hoped me to become A bystander and not his mother. They said the hungry crowds were filled with bread When they had none, and now craved more. He said the bread to seek was not from earth; He was the bread – he came from heaven! At the house side, lit by a low sun, Milking the goats, I voiced my doubts That they had correctly heard: I knew Exactly where my son came from.

Photo by Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

Yet, off-guard and startled, it was like the day We read Isaiah saying who would bear a child. He was on to curds and honey before the jolt Of recognition, and responsibility. From heaven? Not the part that I could see, Or that the angel promised would begin In me and come from me and reign. I was only looking forwards, not behind.

You were within me once, and are again – Since when you went away, then came As fullness, wind and fire! But this time Your life nurtures mine, that I might grow!

More one of us than we ourselves, earthy Practical, aware, I see those calloused hands Pass me his weekly wage; his loyal heart So full of love for all who shared his life.

I eat the bread from heaven now: your flesh Given while I watched; you gave me more – A son, beloved John, to help me see Beyond the mortal wounding of my hopes.

My son, and so much more! Discovering In boyish prayer deep abba-truths; assured That when you spoke about yourself Horizons could not hold the breadth of words.

With him I now behold you on your throne, Ascended where you were before the world, The Word made flesh of my flesh glorious. As mother of my Lord, I worship you.

From heaven! What secrets lit your mind, Revealed, absorbed, possessed, even as you made That milking stool I sat on trembling? Alone with you, I did not know to ask.

Today, far from the manger, close to you Welcoming me into your world, I wonder: Will the ties of blood still have their place Or do they fade beside undreamed of things?

Now, in these last of days, we are alone again: I am with you, Immanuel, and you with me – And everyone who calls! As from the start It always has been hard to comprehend.

Your brother Simon has just been with milk. He held it to my lips. My strength is yours My son, to you I give this waiting life, Weary from the piercing of the sword.

2022/2023

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

BY CATRIONA MURRAY

POST TENEBRAS LUX

Photo by Agê Barros on Unsplash

tourists in the summer, made soup or puddings when called upon... but not now. Now some other members of the body are doing it. That’s how I understand the church of Christ to function at its best — not that we sit back and let the same few people do everything, but that we chip in when and where we can, and when we need to sit it out, someone else takes up the slack. The very last thing we ought to be doing, therefore, is guilt-tripping and judging people for their apparent lack of activity. Visible ‘doing’ is not the only route for Christians in any case. Life for me is so busy at present that I cannot add any more regular commitments to my lot. But I can always accommodate prayer — and our church needs prayer at least as much as it needs another organised activity. In fact, doing without praying is, if anything, more harmful than praying without then moving one’s feet. And that is another reason why taking stock, and giving yourself the gift of time is so important. No one else is responsible for the wellbeing of my soul — that is something I must look to, and be accountable for. I have to try cultivating the heart of wisdom and that recognises the need to sometimes forego the accolades of people in order to be in the company of God more often. It may well be that folk regard me as a passenger because I don’t wield the teapot at organised fellowships; so be it. If you return time and again to the well, you must see to it that the water gets renewed or one day it will run dry — and even servants cannot run on empty. Time is not our enemy in this. We know that there is only so much, though we don’t know its exact measure, nor the day it will run out. What we do know is the complete sufficiency of Christ and that we will have our strength redoubled in him, as long as our time — however we use it and however much or little we have — is passed in his presence and in submission to his lordship over all our efforts. •

he approaching end of the year is always a time for reflection on what has gone before,

and anticipating what may lie ahead. We like to evaluate whether we have made any measurable progress, of course. We are, in some ways, like misers, poring over our treasures. So much the better if we can conjure up a list of achievements as proof that the past twelvemonth has not been wasted. We talk a lot about ‘wasting time’, don’t we? I thought that the enforced two-year hiatus imposed by COVID-19 was an object lesson in the importance of simply being. Like many others who led an all too hectic life in the ‘before times’, I vowed that I would not return to that way of living once restrictions were lifted. In some ways, I have been successful in shedding obligations but, even as I write this, I am aware of a crowded diary, a packed teaching timetable and a slew of responsibilities neglected at home. The Bible exhorts us to number our days so that we may get a heart of wisdom. I don’t think the intention was for us to use the finite nature of our term on Earth as a whip, spurring us on to ever more activity. Instead, I believe it means — in part at least — that we should exercise discernment in choosing how to use our time. And, as Newland Archer replied in Edith Wharton’s ‘The Age of Innocence’, when asked how he planned to spend the day, ‘I think, just for a change, I will save it instead of spending it’. Christians are often advised to mind the company they keep, the films they watch, the books they read, the conversations they participate in... but I would like to add something to the general melee of advice: watch your time. It’s easy to mistake frenetic activity for spiritual growth and conspicuous involvement for service. Occasionally they may indeed be one and the same, but more often they are not, and one can be the enemy of the other. Quite recently, I was asked to take on a particular task in our church, which I politely refused. A few years ago, I might have felt pressured to agree, especially when it was pointed out to me that I was being asked because I ‘don’t do anything in the congregation’. That’s quite true; I don’t at present. I taught Sunday School for a few years, coordinated the opening of the church to

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